OUR CONNECTION WITH GOD COMES FROM OUR HEART

Easter is always an incredible time to see Jesus Christ in a most intimate and deeply moving way. It takes opening your heart and your eyes to what He has done for you. Realizing the pain and suffering He went through to take on your debt of sin. Having your back torn to pieces by a scourging whip. Being mocked and spit upon like a liar and a fool. Watching as your Spiritual Leaders throw you to the brutality of a tyrannical empire. Urging your cruxifixction even when the authorities could find no reason. Betrayed and jeered by the very crowds that had earlier pushed and shoved to get close enough to see you and hear your words. Beaten. Feeing the agony as a crown of thorns was placed upon your head. Made to carry a cross that must have been so heavy it would be impossible for most men to carry. Thrown down and in agony have spikes hammered through your hands and feet, pinning you to a device of ultimate suffocation, pain and death. Brought upright into a position of utter agony. “ Save Yourself, King of the Jews”. “ Where is your Father God Now ?” Waiting to die as you were given sour wine. Oh The Thirst you must have felt ! Centered between two thieves….one mocking you, and the other miraculously being forgiven and promised paradise. In all of that, asking the Father “ Forgive Them, for they know not what they do.” and Finally…. “ It Is Finished.” Darkness. Death. Put in a borrowed Tomb. CAN WE CONTEMPLATE THE LOVE THAT JESUS HAS FOR US TO HAVE ENDURED THAT ???

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS” IN HIS BODY ON THE CROSS , SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; “BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED".” 1 Peter 2:24

FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS IS FOOLISHNESS TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED, IT IS THE POWER OF GOD. 1 Corinthians 1:18

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE BODY, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20

A myriad of thoughts run through my mind. How could Jesus have endured that as a man ? Could I have the strength to know that was coming and face it ? Choose it ? It is so clear to me in those thoughts that Jesus wasn’t a mere man. He was also GOD. BOTH MAN AND GOD. There is no other explanation. It is almost impossible to comprehend that kind of LOVE. Maybe we could give our life up for family, perhaps friends, but for strangers….sinners ? Forgiving those who had just put you through that hellish agony ? HIS LOVE FOR US IS ASTOUNDING ! My Heart wells up with such a deep love and appreciation that HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME. Providing a GIFT to overcome death and find ETERNAL LIFE. Sharing my life, my daily trials and failures with Him. Sharing my Joys and Blessings that only He Could Provide. As we step back and realize the ABSOLUTE POWER OF HIS LOVE, how is it possible to take that for granted, or even reject it, as some do. Can we really stroll through our daily lives ignoring Him, focusing instead on “Self” and “Pleasure” ? I DON’T BELIEVE WE CAN. Life is truly short, and there are no sure things except one, and that is eventual death. The amazing thing is, once you have given your life to Jesus, DEATH HAS NO POWER OVER YOU ! Jesus didn’t die and stay in a tomb. JESUS CHRIST ROSE FROM THE GRAVE, AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. If He is Your SAVIOR, LORD, AND KING, You will be WITH HIM….Reigning by His Side. OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND SOAK THIS IN !

TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, WHOEVER HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES HIM WHO SENT ME HAS ETERNAL LIFE. HE DOES NOT COME INTO JUDGEMENT, BUT HAS PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE. John 5:24

DO NOT LABOR FOR THE FOOD THAT PERISHES, BUT FOR THE FOOD THAT ENDURES TO ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH THE SON OF MAN WILL GIVE TO YOU. FOR ON HIM, GOD THE FATHER HAS SET HIS SEAL. John 6:27

Where is your Heart ? What are you striving for ? It is OK to work hard and provide for yourself and family. It is OK to have fun and be passionate about things you enjoy. WHEN YOU CONNECT WITH GOD AND SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH HIM, THOSE THINGS BECOME ALL THE MORE MEANINGFUL ! God is a provider. God is a guide and counselor. The more you give Him your life, the more those desires morph into JOY, HOPE, AND PEACE. Once you Heart is in God’s Hands, the more you desire to SHARE HIM with others. YOU WANT THEM TO FEEL THE LOVE AND FREEDOM YOU HAVE ! Take the time to truly contemplate all Jesus gave so that YOU might be His…..it is truly what LOVE IS. As our pastor Jeff ends every service at Brave Church the message never wavers. YOU ARE LOVED :). PRAISE GOD FOR HIS LOVE FOR US/JAA

JESUS ANSWERED HIM, “ IF ANYONE LOVES ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORD, AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME TO HIM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM.” John 14:23